After 100 days into his second term, U.S. President Donald Trump faces mounting challenges as revealed by a recent CGTN poll. Surveying 15,947 respondents from 38 countries, the results show a steep drop in approval and growing global skepticism.
Nearly half of American respondents (48.9%) expressed dissatisfaction with Trump’s performance. Many pointed to his tariff-centric "America First" approach—53.1% criticized the impact on the U.S. stock market, 60.4% believed domestic policies spurred inflation rather than control it, and 54% raised concerns over interest rate decisions.
The global picture is no rosier. More than 70% of respondents from key allies like France, Germany, Canada, Japan, and South Korea are pessimistic about future relations with Washington, with South Korea at a striking 87% discontent. Similarly, confidence in the U.S. dropped sharply among many Global South respondents, with countries such as South Africa, Egypt, Peru, Indonesia, and Malaysia recording significant declines.
Tariff policies, seen by 74.2% of global participants as harmful to their nations' economic development, have fueled an increasing backlash. In Southeast Asia—including Vietnam, the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia—there is strong resistance to measures like export controls and limits on foreign technology investments 😮.
Interestingly, China's firm countermeasures against these U.S. tariffs have received robust global backing, with majorities in 37 out of 38 surveyed countries supporting the actions. In many developing nations, such as Kenya (82.5% approval), Egypt, Brazil, and Nigeria, high levels of support were recorded, underlining a marked preference for alternative approaches.
Jointly conducted by CGTN and Renmin University of China via the Institute of International Communication in the New Era, this poll underscores a deep global trust deficit at a critical juncture for the U.S. as its policies under "America First" continue to stir controversy both at home and abroad.
Reference(s):
CGTN Poll: Trump's approval rating plummets after 100 days in office
cgtn.com
